Published Friday, July 03, 2009 6:05 AM

Letters for July 3

American flag always is displayed to its right

I'd like to make a point about flag etiquette, as regards a letter (Eagle, June 27) expressing concern about Texas A&M's supposed inability to properly display Old Glory. The writer stated, "It's pretty sad when a major university doesn't even know flag protocol... ."

The writer goes on to say that the United States flag is always to the left. Since the writer took the time to address the issue, I will assume he is a patriot and proud American. I am not aware of the situation he refers to concerning A&M.

He is, however, wrong about the placement of the flag. I can only assume that he meant while viewing the flag from his perspective. The flag is always placed to the right.

An easy way to remember where to place the flag is to understand that the flag always goes to it's own right. It does not matter if the flag is stationary or moving in a parade, it always goes to it's own right.

The only exception would be if it was flown in front of all other flags in a parade, in which case it would be in the center. If the flag is displayed vertically, the blue field and stars should always be displayed to it's own upper right.

I hope this helps all patriots to fly Old Glory properly and proudly.

BILLY RYAN

American Legion Post 159

Bryan

Dis CS Council need the Florida consultant?

I'm curious about why our College Station city manager feels it is necessary to pay a Florida consultant to run a planning meeting for the city council, particularly one who warns the council "not to get distracted by the vocal minority of residents who will always oppose everything." This implies that citizens concerned about their neighborhoods don't care about the city as a whole.

And the consultant's statement that the council should "focus on those who are supportive, uninvolved or leaning slightly one way or the other" sounds like he's saying anyone who is committed to a principle is not worth consideration.

After interviewing council members and city employees (but few, if any, resident property owners) prior to the council retreat, the consultant apparently guided the council's priority process which placed city hall facilities, a proposed convention center, policy issues regarding the landfill, long-term water needs (obviously a timely issue in this heat), and long-term financial plans, including fees, at the top of the order.

Some items listed in the second set of priorities: implementation of the new comprehensive plan, identifying redevelopment areas, and oversight of the unified development ordinance really belong at the top of the list.

I strongly question the development of "a marketing and communication plan" if it means continuing to ignore development of an easily navigated city Web page and more wasted time on Facebook and Twitter links for the city.

It would be nice to hear more about a "neighborhood quality of life index" and exactly what that would include.

JERRY COOPER

College Station

Forget Michael Jackson, Lawrence Welk is king

After two days of non-stop news reporting of the death of "King of Pop" Michael Jackson, I turned to the Saturday evening Lawrence Welk Show .

When Michael Jackson has a radio or television show every week for more than 60 years, he will deserve the title.

In the meantime, it is still King Lawrence Welk.

ART ROHSNER

Navasota

Would Stallings have taken plays from AD?

The relationship of a university president to the chancellor is directly akin to the relationship between a football coach and an athletic director.

The chancellor oversees many universities while the president is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of one university, just as an athletic director oversees the many teams of the athletic program while the football coach is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of the football team.

Given A&M Regent Gene Stallings' opinion (Eagle, June 6) that the job of a president is to "please the chancellor" -- and thus to carry out the chancellor's policies without protest -- one must therefore presume that coach Stallings would have felt it his duty to pass along without any objection, plays the athletic director might have wanted called during crucial moments of the Cotton Bowl following A&M's 1967 season, or at any other time.

GREGORY REINHART

College Station

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